New Bishop of Sheffield stands aside after 'highly individualised attacks' over his views on women priests

The new Bishop of Sheffield is to withdraw from the post after attacks from members of his new diocese over his view that women should not become priests.

Philip North, 50, is currently Bishop of Burnley, but had been promoted to the new role as a diocesan bishop and was due to take on the role later this year.

In a statement he said: "The news of my nomination has elicited a strong reaction within the diocese and some areas of the wider Church.

"It is clear that the level of feeling is such that my arrival would be counter-productive in terms of the mission of the Church in South Yorkshire and that my leadership would not be acceptable to many."

He added: "There is clearly much to be done on what it means to disagree well and to live with theological difference in the Church of England.

"The highly individualised nature of the attacks upon me have been extremely hard to bear. If, as Christians, we cannot relate to each other within the bounds of love, how can we possibly presume to transform a nation in the name of Christ?"

He would have been the first bishop appointed to a senior role since the Church voted to allow women to become bishops in November 2014.

The bishop had withdrawn from public for a period of "prayer and reflection" and had not previously made any statements about the controversy.

Residents of the new diocese had urged him to stand aside over his views.

The controversy stems in part from his continued membership of a Church of England group known as the Society, which does not recognise women priests.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, had previously said that the church would support his appointment.